Letter to the Editor

In memory of Terry Gasper

First off I want to give my prayers to the Gasper family before I dive into my memories and thoughts on Terry. They need as much support as possible through this tough time. Sherry is a very strong woman so I know she will be okay but she still needs time to heal and support from everyone. I am also praying for the community of Lake Mills as they have lost a great publisher and business owner.
I first met Terry probably nine years ago or so. I was only 16-years-old when I met him. I was probably covered in ink and grease because my first job was to clean the press lines which your Lake Mills Graphic is printed on. Terry was an awesome guy from my first encounters with him. He was almost shy at first (so was I) but was very easy to talk to.
Through the years I have gotten to know him a lot better from him traveling to Armstrong to pick up his papers and even some lengthy phone calls or emails discussing “newspaper business”. He was one of the first people I would talk to about an issue I was writing about in my column or even an issue he wrote about in his column ‘Gaspers Gabble’.
As I got to know Terry more I respected him more also. He really cared about his newspaper and had a great passion when it came to the newspaper industry. I have spent many conversations with him talking about the Freedom of Press and Speech and how sometimes in a small town it is tough to say what you think without getting back lash from advertisers or readers.
His column was truly one of my favorite columns to read each week. He had a great way of putting the words from his mind onto the newspaper. Gaspers Gabble will be missed by a lot of readers and the man behind the keyboard will be missed greatly.
My favorite memories with Terry would be down at the INA Convention each year. Every year the Iowa Newspaper Association holds a convention aimed at distributing ideas and updating publishers, editors, and even workers in the newspaper building about the industry. Terry was always a blast down in Des Moines. I always enjoayed listening to what he had to say about a class or event that took place.
You, the reader of the Graphic, have an awesome local newspaper. Most towns your size don’t even publish newspapers anymore and Lake Mills is home to a great one. Terry and Sherry have poured their hearts into the paper and I think that really shows when you pick it up each and every week.
I will certainly miss seeing or hearing from Terry every week. He was one of my favorite publishers that I would deal with week in and week out. The Gasper family is definitely hurting right now and could use your love and support.
I cannot thank Terry enough for the knowledge he has given me through the years. He always has an opinion on something and it was always a great input when he spoke up. I have learned to love the industry and what I do every single day because of some specific people and Terry would be one of them.
Lake Mills is a great community that has lost a great business owner. My thoughts and prayers are with you all while you recover from this tragedy. God Bless the Gasper family.

Clinton Davis
Editor, Armstrong Journal

Lake Mills Graphic

204 N. Mill Street
Lake Mills, IA 50450

Office Number: (641) 592-4222
Fax Number: (641) 592-6397

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